Alaska Computer Brokers has new name, OK'd as state trainer

Alaska Computer Brokers is changing its name, and has announced it has been approved as an eligible training provider for the state of Alaska. Alaska Computer Brokers is now ACB Solutions. The new name was chosen to reflect the fact that the company now provides technology solutions. As an eligible training provider, ACB Solutions is able to provide training for individuals who qualify for retraining through the Alaska Job Center. Two training paths are available through this program. Both programs take a minimum of six months to complete and are designed to prepare students to work in a real-world environment. These programs, as well as an administrative clerk program, are also available for Workman's Compensation retraining and are open to individuals looking for training in these areas.

New financial planning service opens

Independent financial advisors Garret Wong, Barbara Wong, Patrick Rumley and Gerard Farkas have co-located in a downtown Anchorage office to serve clients with financial planning consulting, investments, insurance and employee benefits. Securities are offered through KMS Financial Services Inc. The phone number is (907) 222-9801or visit www.wong-cmn.com.

Doyon issues dividends

Doyon Ltd.'s board of directors approved a shareholder dividend for $3.68 per share, or $368 per 100 shares. The dividends will be distributed to shareholders on Dec. 15. This is the 23rd consecutive year that shareholders will receive a dividend from the corporation.

Doyon Foundation relocates

Doyon Foundation has moved its office. The foundation moved from its current location at the Doyon Ltd. building at 1 Doyon Place in Fairbanks to its new office in the Jimmy Huntington Building at 714 Fourth Ave., Suite 302B, in Fairbanks. While the foundation's mailing address will change, all other contact information remains the same. Doyon Foundation was established in 1989 by Doyon Ltd., the Fairbanks-based regional Native corporation for Interior Alaska. The foundation provides support to Doyon shareholders and descendents.

International student exchange program seeks area reps

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs is looking for volunteers to serve as area representatives. ASSE provides academic year, semester and short-term exchange programs in the U.S. for high school-aged students from around the world. Area representatives recruit and screen prospective host families, interview students to study abroad, and supervise the visiting exchange students in their community. Area representatives are reimbursed for their expenses and are provided with some travel opportunities. For information, contact the ASSE Western Regional Office at 1-800-733-2773.

Pebble Fund issues grants

Eighteen groups, schools, villages and tribal councils serving the Bristol Bay area have been awarded grants totaling $591,901 from the Pebble Fund, a charitable fund created at Alaska Community Foundation by the Pebble Partnership. An independent advisory committee of leaders from the Bristol Bay region selected four primary areas of interest for grants: renewable resources and fisheries, energy, education, and community and economic development. Grant recipients were selected in a competitive process with the advisory board reviewing applications and selecting projects for awards. Projects to be funded include a new dock crane in Pilot Point, band equipment for the Dillingham City Schools, first responder equipment in Twin Hills and a large burn box in Kohkanok. A complete list of the awards is at www.alaskacf.org. To date, the Pebble Fund has awarded nearly $1.6 million to support nearly $10 million in community projects. The Pebble Fund, which will distribute another $3.4 million to the Bristol Bay area over the next three years, was created by the Pebble Partnership to fulfill a promise of $5 million over five years for projects in the Bristol Bay region. The Alaska Community Foundation manages more than $32 million in charitable funds and makes grants to organizations across the state.

AKSourceLink earns economic development award

AKSourceLink, the referral network Web site for Alaska small business owners, received a national award at the University Economic Development Association Summit in San Antonio. AKSourceLink was one of three finalists. Linda Ketchum of the UA Center for Economic Development presented the university's work with Kathryn Dodge of the Fairbanks North-Star Borough to demonstrate partnership and collaboration to summit attendees. The audience voted on best of show, and Alaska received the honor. AKSourceLink won the Excellence in Partnership Development award. Launched in September 2009 with the support of the Denali Commission, AKSourceLink is a community referral network that links small and emerging business owners in Alaska to local resource partners. All referral services are free of charge.

Alaska highways receive scenic byways designation

Two Alaska highways were named National Scenic Byways: the George Parks Highway and the Haines Highway. The Parks Highway spans 323 miles from the Glenn Highway in the Matanuska Valley to Fairbanks and provides access to the Denali National Park and Preserve. The Haines Highway connects the Inside Passage community of Haines with Haines Junction in the Yukon Territory. This highway is 152 miles long and runs through the Chilkat River and the Alaska Chilkat Bald Eagle Preserve. The U.S. Army built the highway in 1943 as an alternate route from the Pacific Ocean to the Alaska Highway. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities will receive more than $1 million in grant funding to support two Parks Highway projects; a Parks Highway Master Interpretive Plan and the South Denali Visitor Contact Station. Congress created the National Scenic Byways program in 1991. Under the program, the U.S. Secretary of Transportation recognizes certain roads as National Scenic Byways or All-American Roads for their outstanding qualities.

ASTAC wireless wraps up in Wainwright

Arctic Slope Telephone Association Cooperative has rolled out the new ASTAC GSM wireless phone service across the North Slope. The wireless rollout began on June 24 Point Hope and ended in Wainwright Oct. 15. Co-op members got a chance to look over the new phone selections, wireless package options and most popular learn how to text message. ASTAC has served the North Slope communities with landline service, long distance, cellular and Internet services access since 1976.